Fania Nicolaidis has been living with diabetes for 56 years.
The South Morang grandmother was diagnosed with type one diabetes in 1959, at 19 years old. At the time, she was five months’ pregnant with her second child and had limited English, having only moved to Australia from Greece four years earlier.
“It was a shock. I was working in our fish and chip shop and a customer suggested I go to the hospital because I looked very pale. I went to the hospital and I was kept there. I wasn’t expecting to be told I was diabetic,” she said.
Diabetes runs in Mrs Nicolaidis’ family, with her father, brother and two of her children also challenged with the condition. Her son died in 2010 from diabetes-related heart disease.
Mrs Nicolaidis said she is vigilant about managing her medication and diet, and strives to remain active.
When her children were younger, she would get up at 5am every day to make them healthy lunches and exercise before going to work.
“I have managed so long because I keep active. I want people to know that diabetes can be managed,” she said. “Diabetes has robbed me and my family of a lot.”
Mrs Nicolaidis is one of more than 10,000 people in Whittlesea living with diabetes.
The municipality has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the northern suburbs, alongside Hume.
In both areas, 6.1 per cent of the population has been diagnosed with diabetes, which is above the state average of 5 per cent.
Dianella Health chief executive Dr Neil Cowen said national diabetes week (July 10-16) was an opportunity to raise awareness of the condition.
Dr Cowen said people who are overweight, do not exercise enough, and don’t maintain a healthy diet are at greater risk of contracting it.
He said in Hume, half the population do not do sufficient exercise, while only 4 per cent eat the recommended servings of fruit and vegetables. Forty-two per cent of residents are overweight. The state average is just 17 per cent.
“The link between diet and diabetes is pretty obvious,” Dr Cowen said. “Diabetes week is a chance for us all to be reminded that we have choices between that unhealthy kebab or pie, or something healthier … we need to choose healthier options.”
To mark national diabetes week, Diabetes Victoria will present Mrs Nicolaidis with a Kellion Victory Medal in the 50-year category, recognising her management of her condition.
